Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J V Bryant and P W Whittle, JP.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Scrutiny Board meeting held on 26 September 2013.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Board held on 26 September 2013 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman welcomed Councillors Bayford and Evans to the meeting.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest or disclosures of advice or directions made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive a presentation by the Executive member for Health and Housing on the performance of services within the Health and Housing portfolio over the last year and on future plans.

The Board received a presentation from the Executive member for Health and Housing, Councillor B Bayford, on the performance of services within the Health and Housing portfolio over the last year and on future plans. The presentation included: details of the portfolio responsibilities, current issues, local priorities and key challenges ahead in respect of Health, Strategic Housing and Council Housing.

The Executive member for Health and Housing answered members’ questions concerning the presentation.

It was AGREED that:-

(a) the Executive member for Health and Housing be thanked for his presentation; and

(b)  it be noted that members were invited to advise Councillor Bayford of any examples of problems with health services so that he could forward them to the appropriate authority.

To consider a report by the Director of Finance and Resources, which invites members to review the Board’s work programme for 2013/14.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources, which invited members to review the Board’s work programme for 2013/14.

It was AGREED that:-

(a)  the programme of items as set out in Appendix A to the report be noted; and

(b)  the progress on actions since the last meeting, as set out in Appendix B to the report, be noted.

To consider a report by the Director of Planning and Environment on costs associated with the preparation work for the Welborne development.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Planning and Environment on costs associated with the preparation for the Welborne development.

It was noted that the first sentence of paragraph 8 of the report had been included in error and should be deleted.

It was AGREED that the approach taken in respect of the production of the Welborne Plan, together with the cost implications and the external funding attracted to offset these, be noted.

To consider a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

It was AGREED that the report be commended to the Executive for approval.

To consider a report by the Director of Regulatory and Democratic Services on an update to the Constitution.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Regulatory and Democratic Services on an update to the Constitution.

Members were advised that, following further advice from the Solicitor to the Council, the draft Standing Orders with Respect to Meetings had been further updated and copies of the revised version were circulated to those present.

It was AGREED that:-

(a)  the officers be requested to amend the wording of paragraph 6 of Appendix Two to the revised Standing Orders with Respect to Meetings, the Scheme for Deputations to Meetings of the Planning Committee, to make the situation with regard to written deputations and other written material clearer; and

(b)  subject to (a) above, the revised Standing Orders with Respect to Meetings, as shown in the revised Appendix A to the report as circulated at the meeting, be commended to the Executive.

If requested by a member, to consider any item of business dealt with by the Executive, since the last meeting of the Board. The relevant Executive meetings are 7 October 2013 and 4 November 2013. (This will also include any decisions taken by individual Executive members during the same time period.)

The Chairman invited members to indicate if they wished to consider any other item of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Board. There were no other items of Executive business considered.